CEO Daddy (Crescent Cove 6.50)

Swallowing hard, I followed her to the room. She waited while I unlocked the door, then stood aside to allow me to enter first.

She went right to a small vase by the door and shifted the fresh flowers over to make room for the tulips I’d given her, fussing with them for a moment before stepping back.

The lights were off, but the fireplace was burning. Whether Hannah had left it that way, or it was one of the features provided by the staff, the flickering firelight added a warm glow to the rich furnishings in the room. Even in the low light, opulent touches seemed to be mixed in with the rustic decor. A four-poster bed in knotty pine was paired with what appeared to be a handmade quilt. An Aubusson rug in jewel tones drew the eye to the large fireplace with its wide mantel still decorated for the holidays.

Across from the door, huge windows framed the space. Outside lights glimmered on the lake. The bed and breakfast had the perfect view of the water, but tonight that view was obscured by snowflakes. The few meandering flurries that had been falling when I’d come inside for dinner had turned into a deluge.

“The storm is here,” Hannah murmured, dropping her bag by the bed to rush to the windows.

I was tempted to turn on the lamp so I could see every bit of her, but I didn’t know if she’d shy away at such intimacy. The dancing flames offered just enough light, streaking her long fall of light brown hair with hints of gold.

When I came up behind her, she barely seemed to notice. She laid her hand upon the glass as if she could touch the snow even through the window.

“Were we supposed to get a storm?”

“Oh, yes, it’s been forecast for days—” She broke off when my arms encircled her waist.

She felt so good. Solid, warm. Strong. The scent of lilacs wafted over me from either her perfume or her shampoo. Fuck, I’d never smell them again without thinking of her and this moment.

Of us alone in the firelit dark while a storm raged outside.

Then she stumbled backward, stomping on my foot. And I laughed.

“Sorry. Sorry. I shouldn’t have moved. I just didn’t expect you to be so—”

“Close?” Her unexpected bout of nerves after her bravado downstairs was refreshing. Maybe the mask was slipping a bit?

“No. Hard. All over.” She cleared her throat and shifted toward me, lifting her head. “I was distracted by the snow.”

I gripped her chin, rubbing my thumb over the shallow dent in it. “Must not be that impressive if snow is more interesting than the prospect of being alone with me.”

“First big snowfall is late this year.”

“That it is.” I brushed her hair back from her face. “If I don’t have any condoms on me—and the chances are probably 60/40, odds not in our favor—I want to lay you in front of the fireplace and devour you all night long.”

When she only watched me with heavy eyes, I moved in that much closer until our bodies were flush. Wedged together. Carefully, I drew her full lower lip between mine, tugging softly with a scrape of my teeth until she let out a low moan.

The sound tore something open inside me. Later, I’d wonder if I had really lunged at her, cupping her face in both hands as I kissed her. My lips molded to hers and my tongue delved inside, sweeping over hers before I explored every nuance of her mouth. Then our tongues were twisting together, sliding against each other while she pushed up my suit coat and spanned her hands over my lower back through the thin cotton of my shirt.

Not enough. I needed to feel every inch of her pressed against me.

Naked.

No clothes again, ever.

Fuck, I was out of control. Already. Still. She made me do things I normally never would. Hell if I understood it. Even approaching her had been far outside my comfort zone.

My life wasn’t for me anymore. It was for the business. For Lily. Even for my grandmother.

But this…this was all for me. And for Hannah. Especially for her.

“Asher.” Her harsh whisper as she moved back made me open my eyes. Everything was fuzzy and indistinct except for the fiery blue of her irises.

What had we unleashed here?

“I’m so—”

She stopped me with a flick of her thumb over my lips. Lipstick probably. Already I wore her on my skin.